Stories From Main Street: People's Pantry Helping Toms River Residents Impacted By Sandy

People’s Pantry was launched by the Toms River Regional Schools district following Sandy.

Donaghue said when People’s Pantry opened, she never anticipated it would be a long-term project.

“I’ve been told by the experts 10 to 12 years,” she told Adams.”They’re saying 10 to 12 years because of improper insurance coverages or failure to even have insurance. A lot of people are spending out of pocket to repair their homes. And while they’re doing that, they’re paying mortgage and taxes on houses that they can’t live in and they are paying rent, so something has to give.”

Stories from Main Street – Photo: Evan Bindelglass / WCBS 880

The storm thrust middle class working families suddenly into poverty, Adams reported. Roughly 3,000 people per month seek help at the 20,000-square-foot storefront in a strip mall.

Manager OJ Meyer said they can always use more donations of food, toiletries and cleaning supplies.

“Any way that we can help them, even if it’s just freeing up some of their money by giving them food,” Meyer told Adams.